John M. Hofstad

Camp Wadsworth, SC; France / World War I
  • Military specialty: Unknown
  • Awards: Unknown

b. 28 Mar 1896; d. 30 Mar 1929.  John Merril Hofstad was born to Jacob and Inger Marie (Hanserud) Hofstad in Storden, MN. At the time of his enlistment in WWI, John worked on his own farm on Storden Twp., Cottonwood Co., MN.

On 24 Jul 1918, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to Co. F, 4th Pioneer Infantry, 6th Division, at Camp Wadsworth, SC. He was transferred to the 3rd Pioneer Infantry, 6th Division, before being sent to France where his unit was assigned to the Vosges sector where they were under the French command from 3 Sep to 11 Oct 1918.  From 2 to 11 Nov 1918 his unit was involved in the battle at Meuse-Argonne.  On 11 Jul 1919, his unit returned to the U.S. and on 30 Jul 1919 Pvt. Hofstad was discharged at Camp Dodge, IA.

After his discharge, John returned to the area to farm, but increasingly his mental health deteriorated, and finally he was placed as a patient in the V.A. Hospital, at Ft. Snelling, MN. His war experiences were thought to be the cause of his mental condition.  On 30 Mar 1929, John passed away from pneumonia with his mental condition as a contributory cause.  John was buried in the Jeffers Cemetery, Jeffers, MN.

 

  • Obituary: Yes